Liquid transfer apparatus and automatic shut-off therefor



Nov. 27, 1956 M. D. CANNELL 2,771,917

LIQUID TRANSFER APPARATUS AND AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF THEREFOR Filed May 20,1954 L up mm u y i V K l I 2/ 7 5 .ZZzfi.

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United States Patent LIQUID TRANSFER APPARATUS AND AUTO- MATIC SHUT-OFFTHEREFOR Murray D. Cannell, Wilmington, Calif.

Application May 20, 1954, Serial No. 431,231

4 Claims. (Cl. 141-217) This invention relates to a liquid transferapparatus and automatic shut-off therefor, particularly applicable inthe loading of tank cars or trucks with gasoline, oil or other liquids.

An object of my invention is to provide a novel liquid transferapparatus of the character stated, which can be used to control the flowof volatile fluids, such as gasoline, and which will effectively shutoff the flow when the height of the liquid in the tank reaches apredetermined point.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel liquid transferapparatus of the character stated in which the fiow is shut off throughthe medium of a vacuum actuated valve mechanism, the vacuum beingcreated by the flow of liquid into the tank.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a novel liquidtransfer apparatus of the character stated in which vacuum is built upin a venturi. Due to the flow of liquid into the tank this vacuum ispermitted to build up by a float which is within the tank, and whichcloses a port to permit vacuum to accumulate.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel liquid transferapparatus in which the liquid flow is shut off by means of a valve, thisvalve being pressure actuated, the fluid pressure being controlled by avalve which is opened when vacuum accumulates to the required amount.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from theaccompanying drawing, the subjoined detailed description and theappended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic end view of my liquid transfer apparatus andautomatic shut-off therefor.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the shutoif head.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the float control with parts broken awayto show interior construction.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the venturi device.

Figure 5 is a side view of the vacuum controlled valve.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 1 indicates anintake pipe through which the liquid is forced under pressure while itis being loaded into a tank car or truck. The intake pipe 1 extends intoa shut-011 head 2 and liquid flows out of this head through the pipe 3.The pipe 3 then extends into the venturi 4, which extends into the tankcar or truck 5. The turret 6 of the tank 5 is closed by a removablecover 7 so that the fumes from the gasoline or other liquid can beaccumulated. These fumes are withdrawn through the pipe 8 and returnedto the reservoir containing the liquid, all of which is usual and wellknown in the art.

The pipe 9 which extends downwardly from the venturi assembly 4 extendsthrough the cover 7 and thence into the tank 5, all of which is usualand well known. In tank cars it is necessary that they be filled to adefinite level and, furthermore, that the fumes or vapors from theliquid shall be recovered and not permitted to escape into the air. Forthis reason the turret 6 of the tank is covered.

In order that the liquid may be controlled at a definite level withinthe tank 5, I provide a float control 10 which extends through the cover7 and into the tank 5. The various units of my apparatus will besubsequently described in detail.

The control head 2, which is mounted on the pipe 1, consists essentiallyof a T-fitting 11 which is flanged at the bottom, as shown at 12, sothat it may be bolted to the top of the pipe 1. A plate 13 extendsacross the pipe 1 and is provided with a port 14 through which liquidflows from the pipe 1. The liquid normally flows out through the pipe 3and thence into the tank 5, as previously described. When the level ofthe liquid in the tank 5 reaches a predetermined point, the shut-offhead 2 is closed in the following manner:

A valve 15 is mounted on a rod 16 and the rod extends into a cylinder17. The cylinder 17 is mounted on top of the fitting 11 in a suitablemanner, such as by bolting, or the like. Cups 18 are mounted on the rod16 and act as pistons in the cylinder 17 when air pressure is exertedthrough the pipe 19, as will be subsequently described. When pressure(air or fluid) is exerted through the pipe 11 the clips 18 will beforced downwardly, thus seating the valve 15 over the port 14 andclosing this port. This shuts off the flow of fluid to the tank 5. Aspring 20 within the cylinder 17 acts against the cups 18, normallyholding the valve 15 in a raised position, as shown in Figure 2. Thepipe 19 which extends into the top of the cylinder 17 is connected to awhistle or a suitable visual signal means if additional warning isneeded.

The pipe 3 extends into the top of the venturi assembly which includes apipe section 21 within which the venturi Z2 is mounted. The pipe 9extends downwardly from the pipe 21 and into the tank 5, substantiallyas shown. The liquid flowing into the top of the pipe 21 and thencethrough the venturi 22 will create a partial vacuum in the annular space23. A T-fitting 24 screws into the pipe 21 and thence into the annularspace 23. A pipe 25 extends from the upper end of the float control 111into the fitting 24, and this pipe normally permits air to flow into thefitting 24 to break the vacuum in the space 23. When flow of air throughthe pipe 25 is stopped, as will be subsequently described, vacuum buildsup in the space 23 and this vacuum is then transmitted to the pipe 26 toa vacuum controlled valve 27. When vacuum accumulates sufiiciently inthe pipe 26 it will open the valve 2'7, permitting air under pressure toflow from the pipe 28 and thence through the pipe 19 to the shut-offhead 2, and particularly into the top of the cylinder 17.

The float control 11} consists of a pipe 2% which extends verticallythrough the cover 7 and into the tank 5. The pipe 29 is slidable in aring 39 in the cover 7, and thus the lower end of the pipe 29 can beadjusted within the tank 5. Calibrations 31 on the pipe 29 above thering 36} may indicate the position of the lower end of the pipe. A cage32 is mounted on the lower end of the pipe 29 and a ball float 33(preferably cork) is positioned within the cage 32. A seat 34 in thelower end of the pipe 29 is spaced from the wall of the pipe, as shownat 35. Holes 36 in the wall of the pipe extend into the space 35, thuspermitting air to flow upwardly into the pipe 29 and thence through thepipe 25 into the fitting 24, to thus constantly break the vacuum whichis being formed in the annular space 23. When the float 33, however,rests on the seat 34 no air can flow through the pipe 25 and,consequently, a vacuum is built up in the space 23, which vacuum is thenexerted through the pipe 26 to actuate the valve 27.

in operation the cover 7 is mounted on the turret 6 and the floatcontrol is adjusted vertically so that the cage 32 is at the propershut-off level within the tank 5. Liquid is now pumped through the pipe1 and passes into the fitting 11 since the valve 15 is now raised due tothe spring 29, The liquid then flows through the pipe 3 and thence intothe venturi assembly 4, passing through the venturi 22 and thence intothe tank 5. The movement of liquid through the venturi 22 willcreate apartial vacuum inthe space 23. The vacuum in the space 23, however, isconstantly broken due to the flow of air through the holes 36 and thespace 35, and thence into the pipe 29, then through the pipe 25 and thefitting 24, which extends into the vacuum space 23. As soon as theliquid level in the tank raises sufliciently to cause the float 33 torest on the seat 34, the air flow through the pipe 25 is stopped, whichresults in a vacuum building up in the space 23. This vacuum is thentransmitted through the pipe 26 to the valve 27, causing that valve toopen and permitting air or other pressure to flow from the pipe 28 tothe pipe 19 which pushes the cups 118 downwardly and seats the valveover the port 14, thus shutting off the flow of liquid to the tank 5.

Having described my invention, I-claim:

1. An automatic shut-off for a liquid transfer apparatus for tankscomprising a liquid intake pipe, a shut-off head mounted in the intakepipe, a valve in the shut-0E head, a seat in said intake pipe againstwhich the valve rests to close the intake pipe, pressure actuated meansengaging said valve to move the valve to a closed position, an outletpipe extending from the shut-off head and thence into said tank, aventuri in the outlet pipe, said venturi having a vacuum space therein,a vacuum controlled valve, a pipe extending from the vacuum space to thevacuum controlled valve, a pressure intake line extending into thevacuum controlled valve, and a pressure outlet line extending from thevacuum controlled valve into said pressure actuated means, another pipeextending into the tank, a line extending from the last named pipe tosaid vacuum space, and float means in the last named pipe closing saidline in one position of the float.

2. An automatic shut-01f for a liquid transfer apparatus for tankscomprising a liquid intake pipe, a shut-otf head mounted in the intakepipe, a valve in the shut-off head, a seat in said intake pipe againstwhich the valve rests to close the intake pipe, pressure actuated meansengaging said valve to move the valve to a closed position, an outletpipe extending from the shut-off head and thence into said tank, aventuri in the outlet pipe, said venturi having a vacuum space therein,a tank into which said outlet pipe extends, a float control including apipe extending into the tank, a seat in the last named pipe, a floatengageable with the seat resting thereon when liquid level rises in thetank, said pipe having an air intake therein below the seat, and a lineextending from the last named pipe into said vacuum space, a vacuumcontrolled valve, a pipe extending from the vacuum space to the vacuumcontrolled valve, a pressure int'a'ke line extending into the vacuumcontrolled valve, and a pressure outlet line extending from the vacuumcontrolled valve into said pressure actuated means.

3. An automatic shut-oif for a liquid transfer apparatus for tankscomprising a liquid intake pipe, a shut-off head mounted in the intakepipe, a valve in the shut-ott head, a seat in said intake pipe againstwhich the valve rests to close the intake pipe, a cylinder mounted onthe shut-oft" head, a piston in the cylinder, means connecting thepiston and the valve whereby pressure against the piston closes thevalve, an outlet pipe extending from the shut-oft" head, a venturi inthe outlet pipe, said venturi having a vacuum space therein, a vacuumcontrolled valve, a pipe extending from the vacuum space to the vacuumcontrolled valve, a pressure intake line extending into the vacuumcontrolled valve and a pressure outlet line extending from the vacuumcontrolled valve into said pressure actuated means, another pipeextending into the tank, a line extending from the last named pipe tosaid vacuum space, and float means in the lastnamed pipe closing saidline in one position of the float.

4. An automatic shut-01f for a liquid transfer apparatus for tankscomprising a liquid intake pipe, a shut-ofl head mounted in the intakepipe, a valve in the shut-off head, a seat in said intake pipe againstwhich the valve rests to close the intake pipe, a cylinder mounted onthe shutoff head, a piston in the cylinder, means connecting the pistonand the valve whereby pressure against he piston closes the valve, anoutlet pipeextending from the shutoff head, a venturi in the outletpipe, said venturi having a vacuum space therein, a tank into whichliquid from the outlet pipe flows, a float control extending into thetank, said float control including a pipe, said pipe having a seattherein, a float, said float resting against the seat when liquid in thetank rises, said pipe having an air intake below the seat, and a lineextending from said float control and into said vacuum space, a vacuumcontrolled valve, a pipe extending from the vacuum space to the vacuumcontrolled valve, a pressure intake line extending into the vacuumcontrolled valve, and a pressure outlet line extending from the vacuumcontrolled valve into said pressure actuated means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

